About Us

In 2000, many members of the community realized there were many cancer patients in this area that were in financial need due to the high cost of their medicines and/or treatments.

As a result, "Angels Among Us" ("Angels") was created by a group of concerned community members in addition to cancer survivors. The mission of the organization is to provide financial assistance to local cancer patients when the cost of their treatments and/or medications become a financial burden. "Angels" is run completely by volunteers and all money raised stays in this locale, with all except some minor expenses, such as office supplies, going toward the stated mission.

To assist the organization, an advisory committee composed of an oncologist, a social worker, nurses at Mt. Carmel Cancer Center and several local community members was created. In 2005, the organization became part of the Southeast Kansas Community Foundation. The money deposited in this foundation will be invested and will hopefully grow throughout the years to promote great things in Crawford County.

"My dream is to be able to watch this fund mature so that we can purchase equipment for the Cancer Center, and also be able to provide scholarships to cancer patients who have survived childhood cancer. Also to provide financial support for cancer victims and their families for many years to come." -Diana Polston

"Angels" has a local bank account from which checks can be written whenever a request is approved. Checks can be given for as little as $20 to put gas in the patient's car to get to/from treatments or up to $300 to pay for medical expenses, drug bills or everyday expenses such as utility bills, rent, house payment, gas/electric bills when funds are short due to their medical treatments.

The money deposited into this local bank account comes primarily from a wide variety of fundraisers held throughout the year by the volunteers. Some of these fundraisers include selling such things as lilies at Easter, poinsettias at Christmas, and adorable stuffed animals, magnets and bracelets throughout the year. Other projects have included holding an annual rummage sale, working as the janitorial staff for an annual wrestling tournament, and catering various dinners in the area. One year, a group of volunteers even worked a concession stand at each of the Kansas City Chiefs football games.

At Christmas time, extra fundraising is performed so that approximately $5,000 extra can be given to area cancer patients. This lets the patients and their families enjoy Christmas without adding to the financial burden imposed by their treatments.

We would like to thank the local community for being so supportive of our organization and its programs. Area funeral homes advise families about Angels Among Us and the possibility of having memorials for their loved ones made in the form of donations to our organization. Local restaurants have cooperated by letting us display containers in which diners can donate their spare change. And, in 2006 we started a recycling program (for used cell phones and printer cartridges) which has been very well received.

If you would like to assist in our recycling effort, please visit our "Recycling Program" page for more details.

Although "Angels Among Us" is still relatively small, we hope that as word spreads the organization will continue to grow and be able to help more patients on their road to recovery.